Up to the Herculean Task of Tackling Cancer Therapy Resistance

Kostas A Papavassiliou1, Athanasios G Papavassiliou2

  • 1First University Department of Respiratory Medicine, 'Sotiria' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.

Cancers
|May 25, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Cancer therapy resistance is a major challenge in treatment. Overcoming this resistance is key to improving patient outcomes and developing more effective cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Drug Resistance

Background:

  • Cancer therapy resistance remains a significant obstacle in clinical oncology.
  • Developing strategies to overcome drug resistance is crucial for improving patient survival rates.

Discussion:

  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer therapy resistance is essential.
  • Investigating novel therapeutic approaches to circumvent resistance pathways is a priority.

Key Insights:

  • Identifying biomarkers predictive of treatment response can guide personalized therapy.
  • Targeting specific resistance mechanisms may re-sensitize tumors to existing treatments.

Outlook:

  • Future research should focus on combination therapies to combat resistance.
  • Advancements in precision medicine hold promise for overcoming therapeutic hurdles in cancer treatment.

Related Concept Videos

Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.3K
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
7.6K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
4.9K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.6K